Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-06-25
DENUNCIATIONS
Hurled at the President Because of the
Order Returning to the South
The Rebel Flags in the Keeping of the
War Department.
CEN. FAIRCHILD's LANGUAGE.

hearS these words with bated breath and
glanced At each other with awe as the terrible
sentences rang out from the commsnder-in.
chief Of the .. A. X. last night I'm association
hall in Harlem. The occasion was the recep-
ten rendered 10 the commander-in In chief by
Alex. Hamilton post Ne. 1872, g.. A. r. Visit
ore we're present from every Grand Army post
in this city and vicinity.
Before the meeting opened 1t became known
that Gen. Rssse, OF Austin, Texas, had re
ceived a letter from the Acknowledgement of
the United States army stating that the presi-
dent had approved the recommendation and
the writer had been instructed by the secre-
tary CT war to return all confederate fags in
care Of the department to the southern states
from whose regiments the fags had been cap
tured during the war Of the rebellion. Gen
Fairchild entered the hall with stern-set feat
ures. Without hardly waiting for the usua
courtesies the one-armed leader burs
forth with the expressions record
ed above. The general told oil
the news received by telegraph that the presi.
dent had approved of the return OF ~''reoel''
Tags, and how those flags had been won by
the veterans OF the q. A. r. In open conflict
with the enemies OF the nation. The veterans
had placed their trophies In the care Of the
war department. They were intended, he
said, to be kept ia the archives of the nation
as menentoes Of hard won fields Of battle.
He continued: GLOW can the present repre-
sentatives, loyal governors OF the southern
states, accept the emblems Of treason after
their professions OF loyalty to the unions
Must they not return them to the secretary
ana say they have ny TO do with the
flags, asrebel oryanizal. tAtinotand
their governors are deadt' 90 lid
said he had frequently listened 10 sent,o onts
which caused him to bite his tongue IN an
effort 10 maintain self-control. In MAE months
past he had visited q. A. K. posts in every
state In the north, east and west; be had
never in any post meeting heard anything but
kindly feelings expressed toward the men who
bad looked into the gun barrels Of the north
ern troops during the war; as
TO encourage this kindly feeling. Now
this was changed. The time had come
to speak in the name Of an organization. If
he could not protest against II as commander
n-caicf Of the G. A. r., he would resign and
protest as a private citizen. But he was sat
isfied that $50, 900 G.. A. Il. veterans would
rise "a one man in "A solemn protest against
any such disposition Of trophies won ut such
fearful sacrifice Of blood. Raising his only
hand the general said ~ appeal To the SEN
timent of the nation to forbid this sacrilege."
There was a moments silence, when a wild
hurrah went up and vas repeated.
CORPORAL ANNER
Then came loud calls for Corporal Tanner.
He apologized for coming without his G. A.
K. badge. After the action Of the president
in the case 81 rebel aags the next thing would
be an order demanding that the veterans of the
war should return their O.. A. X. badges, as
they were made OF metal cast from guns cap
tured In the war. He was not surprised that
a,,pb . N or1nr abp,1lI a,papatn from m rbo
during the war was In fall vigor Of manhood,
sturdy and strong, yet who was rep
resented In the field by a substitute drawn
from the Erie penitentiary. Every MEM
Der should rise In his might as a
veteran and protest against that desecration.
The proposed trip OF Cleveland to ST. Louis
had been discussed by the veterans. He had
advised western veterans TO treat the presi-
dent with the respect due him, but now had
come an order from which nothing could
come but Inflammation and result In damna-
ton.
| and cheers.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Then Edmund Hendricks, late Inspector
general OF the department OF New York I'M
der Gen. Sickles, leaped to the platform and
offered the following resolutions:
Whereas, The president of the United
States having approved the recommendation
that all the battle flags In the custody OF the
war department Belonging to southern states
In rebellion during the late civil war, be re-
turned 20 the respective states which bore
them, for such fnal disposition as they may
desire; be IL
Resolved, That this post views with sur
prise the action OF the president and records
it's protest thereto and
Resolved, That the sacrifice OF blood Inch
captured the emblems We represent was q
sacrifice to liberty, nati"ra al union and to
good;
Resolved, That no sentiment Of generosity
and no expression Of magnanimity islnvolvec
In the surrender OF these covenants oi nationa
honor; and
Resolved, That It now only remains to di
rect that the battle aags OF the union be dis
tributed among the representatives of the SO
called confederacy as a lifting acknowledge
ment of the righteousness Of the ''lost cause;'
and
Resolved, That this post express its dis
appreciation Of this act OF the hrst presiGen
OF the United States who has held the ofic
; iisassociated from the memories OF war 70
the union.
The resolutions were carried with a shout
Arrangements will be made 10 have a mas
meeting OF veterans next week to protes
against the action of the president.
GREAT MEETING AT NEW HAVEN.
New HAVEN. June 16-1he Grand Arm,
post of this city united In a monster camp fir
tonight. Fully 5000 persons we're In the
armory a moment after the doors were opened
Many distinguished guests were present
among whom were Gems. Fairchild, Sherman
Sheridan, Schoield, Terry, Greeley, Hawley
Porter, Col. Fred Grant, Gov. Lounsberr,
and others. Commander fainter welcomed
the distinguished guests and. referring to tn,
contemplated return OF confederate flags
said: "i think .he Grand Army has proprie
ss-y ns..ts in those flags purchased ''witl
NJ oua.1 Commander.in-Chlef Fairchild said
Au.ong ether things: ''Since about 1867 tn
Grand Army has been the friend OF the south
We have no sort OF hate or malice agains
our old foes anywhere, and ready t.
extend 10 them the right hand o
fellowship. Notwithstanding all this,
most enphatically assert that tn
southern states have no manner OF right +
to take from us relics Of the late rebellion 1
the shape OF rebel flags. Would the COVER
nsrs OF those states place them In their cap!
tolls as emblems to be reviled or teach tn
t coming generations treasent No 10y al gover
nor OF any state In the union will receive them
, Gen. Fairchild concluded by saying be spok
, In defense Of the southern people, whom h
! felt sure would feel insulted by having thos
flags thrust upon them. Gov. LounsberI
said he should enter into a vigorous protes
against their removal. Gen. Sherman excus
eJ himself from speaking. Senator Hawle
= then read a dispatch saying the president ha
. ccuntermanded the order. This was receive
With much applause. Gems. Sheridan, TER,
Greedy and Col. Grant also spoke.
GOV. THAYER TO THE PRESIDENT.